HENNIKER, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's soccer team opened its 2025 campaign by falling to the New England College Pilgrims, 2-0, in a non-conference matchup at Don Melander Field in a Friday matinee.
The Panthers, by all accounts controlled every aspect of the game but were stymied by the Pilgrim defense; unable to get on the scoreline. A goal off a corner kick in each half was all New England College needed to take home its first win of the season.
Junior
Vince Cassarino (Tolland, Conn.) matched the entire NEC team with 10 total shots (two on goal), as the Panthers led 27-10 in total shots for the evening. The Panthers forced five saves from the NEC goalkeeper, while junior
Kole Matta (Castleton, Vt.) made three saves in the losing effort.
The match was the first for both schools as Plymouth State opens its season at 0-1-0, while the Pilgrims start out with a 1-0-0 record.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, NEC 2
- Plymouth State (0-1-0)
- NEC (1-0-0)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers opened on the front foot, applying pressure to the Pilgrim back line. Plymouth State launched the first three shots of the contest but could not find anything on target in the first minutes of play.
- NEC struck first in 23rd minute on a corner kick which was flicked on at the near post. The Panthers, unable to make the initial clearance, scrambled to clear the ball from danger, but the Pilgrim striker knocked it home to take an early 1-0 lead.
- Plymouth State nearly equalized in the 38th minute on a back-post cross from junior Hunter Holland (Hampton, N.H.) moments after a collision. Cassarino connected with a header that snuck inches wide from tying the game.
- It was a docile remainder of the first half as the Pilgrims took the 1-0 advantage into the halftime break.
- Plymouth State again opened on the front foot to start the second half, issuing the first five shots, but were unable to get one past the NEC goalkeeper.
- With twenty minutes remaining, the Panthers' attack continued to apply pressure on its opponent, with wave after wave of half chances, providing a sense that a goal was coming.
- NEC had other plans. Against the run of play, the Pilgrims took advantage of another corner kick and headed home the insurance goal to take a 2-0 lead in the 76th minute.
- The Panthers made every attempt to break through, but the stingy Pilgrims' defense salted away the victory.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State outshot the Pilgrims 27-10.
- NEC registered five corner kicks to the Panthers' eight.
- Shots on goal were in the Pilgrims' favor, 6-5.
- Each team registered 15 fouls in the match.
- The Panthers hold a 6-5-2 lifetime head-to-head advantage over New England College dating back to the team's first meeting in 1988.
- It was the first victory for NEC in the series since the 2021 season.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State is right back in action tomorrow (Aug. 30). The Panthers welcome Colby-Sawyer to Panther Field for a 3:00 p.m. matchup.
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